State Charges Dropped in GOP Eavesdrop Case

VIRGINIA

Prosecutors in Richmond dropped state charges in a political eavesdropping case against the former executive director of Virginia's Republican Party.

The move could clear the way for federal charges against Edmund A. Matricardi III. U.S. prosecutors said they would open an inquiry into the case.

Matricardi, 33, was indicted last month on charges of illegally monitoring two Democratic conference calls in March. During the calls, Gov. Mark Warner, several top Democratic lawmakers, party officials and their lawyers discussed legal strategy for a court battle over redistricting.